Handicapping notes, Thursday at Santa Anita …

Race 1 – Someone goofed. It was either the Daily Racing Form handicapper that made Ryder’s Starlight (4) “most probable winner” on the card, or the linemaker that lists the gelding at 8-1 in this $32k claiming turf mile. This (aforementioned) handicapper expects Ryder’s Starlight to get bet in half. And win.

Race 2 – Kona Dreams (6) is favored in this starter allowance, but he is a tricky read. He earned a career-best figure winning last out, and wheels back in just 13 days. That is short notice. As for second favorite True Valor (1), it is uncertain if two turns his best distance.  One positive – according to National Turf clocker Andy Harrington, True Valor worked heads-up with Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies pre-entrant Piedi Bianchi on Oct. 20.

Race 3 – Another vulnerable favorite? Raven Creek (6) is the one to catch in this turf sprint for Cal-bred 2yo maidens, but his sire Old Fashioned gets only 4 percent winners first-time turf, and only 8 percent turf overall, according to Thoro-Graph. Gringo Star (8) is bred for grass and benefits most by the surface switch.

Race 4 – When Santa Anita lowered the bottom claiming level to $6,250, the hope was it would attract horses based in Northern California. That has not happened. Instead, the only “new horses” at the $6,250 level are from Los Alamitos. Forthenineteen (2) and Pam’s Joy (6) are favored in this sleepy bottom-level sprint.

Race 6 – Anatolian Heat (4) is the 7-2 favorite in this N2X turf sprint. He is too sharp to start at odds that high. Expect nearer to 5-2. And expect his third straight victory.

Race 8 – Falcone (2) and favorite Charlie Cowden (7-2) are the principals in this turf mile, $100,000 maiden-claiming 2yos. Coin flip.

First post Thursday is 1 p.m.